Release mechanism for a reclining vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A release mechanism for a reclining vehicle seat assembly includes an activation mechanism, for example a lever or handle, and a transmission. The transmission is coupled to the activation mechanism via a wire for releasing a seat back of the vehicle seat assembly. The transmission includes a plurality of meshed gears for transmitting a torque created by movement of the activation mechanism from a gear of the plurality of gears attached to the wire to a shaft associated with the seat back. Rotation of the shaft releases the seat back for rotation. A shield partially covers a side of the base and seat back, and covers the transmission and wire. The activation mechanism is uncovered allowing the passenger to activate the release mechanism and is positioned in a readily accessible zone relative a passenger hip point. The position avoids interference with the seat belt and occupies minimal space between the side shield and vehicle side.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/876,017 filed on Oct. 6, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to vehicle seats, and more specificallyto a release mechanism for a reclining seat.

BACKGROUND

It is well known to have adjustable seats in a vehicle. Some vehiclesoffer powered front seats which can be adjusted by using a switch orjoystick and a set of electric motors. Other vehicles include manuallyadjustable front seats and some even having adjustable second and thirdrow seats. Most vehicles that have manually adjustable seats utilize anactivation mechanism for releasing a seat back for rotational movementabout a shaft. The adjustment may include releasing the seat back forrotation to a forward position to allow passengers to exit a second rowof a two door vehicle, for example, or to a reclined position betweenfully reclined and upright for comfort during periods of driving andnon-driving.

In each scenario, the activation mechanism is typically positionedbetween a side shield of the seat and a side of the vehicle.Traditionally, the activation mechanism includes a lever or handle whichis grasped by the seat occupant when adjustment is desired. Activationmechanisms can be a direct type wherein the mechanism contacts the shaftdirectly or a gooseneck type wherein the mechanism is in a forwardposition along the side shield and is coupled to the shaft viamechanical linkages. Each of these activation mechanisms suffer fromcertain drawbacks which can be summarized as being difficult to locateand difficult to utilize due primarily to being in direct contact withthe shaft. In some instance, such activation mechanisms are positionedsuch that the mechanisms are covered by the seat belt when the seatoccupant is buckled into the seat. This creates a situation where theseat belt precludes adjustment of the seat back until the seat belt isreleased. Even more, the seat belt can contact the activation mechanismunder certain loading conditions and unintentionally release the seatback.

Accordingly, a need exists for an activation mechanism that is both easyto locate and easy to utilize. Such a mechanism would be positioned inan acceptable zone relative an H-point or passenger hip point such thatthe mechanism is readily accessible. An H-point is a theoretical,relative location of a vehicle seat occupant's hip. More specifically, apivot point between a torso and upper leg portions of a body as used invehicle design and regulation. Even more, the position of the mechanismwould avoid interference with the seat belt and occupy a minimal amountof space between the seat side shield and the vehicle side (e.g., the Bpillar).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a releasemechanism for a reclining vehicle seat assembly having a seat base, aseat back, a side shield and a seat back recliner shaft about which theseat back rotates, includes an activation mechanism, and a transmissioncoupled to the activation mechanism via a wire for rotating the seatback recliner shaft and releasing the seat back.

In another possible embodiment, the wire and the transmission arepositioned within the seat assembly.

In still another possible embodiment, the transmission includes ahousing, supported by the seat base, through which the seat backrecliner shaft extends, and a plurality of gears. In yet anotherpossible embodiment, at least a portion of the seat back recliner shaftincludes a plurality of teeth, and the plurality of gears includes afirst gear having a central aperture and internal teeth for receivingthe seat back recliner shaft and meshing with the plurality of teeth.

In another possible embodiment, the plurality of gears further includesa second gear attached to the wire such that movement of the activationmechanism moves the wire thereby rotating the second gear about a pinextending from the housing and supporting the second gear.

In still yet another possible embodiment, the second gear includes firstand second arms extending from a hub, wherein the first arm is attachedto the wire adjacent a distal end of the first arm, and the second armincludes a distal end forming an arc having a plurality of teeth on aninner side of the arc.

In yet another possible embodiment, the release mechanism furtherincludes third and fourth gears for transmitting torque created bymovement of the activation mechanism from the second gear to the firstgear and the seat back recliner shaft.

In one other possible embodiment, the third and fourth gears each have aplurality of teeth, and the plurality of teeth of the third gear meshwith the plurality of teeth of the second gear and the plurality ofteeth of the fourth gear, and the plurality of teeth of the fourth gearfurther mesh with the plurality of teeth of the first gear.

A vehicle incorporating the release mechanism for a reclining vehicleseat assembly described above.

One additional embodiment of a release mechanism for a reclining vehicleseat assembly includes a transmission, and an activation mechanismcoupled to the transmission via a wire for releasing a seat back of thevehicle seat assembly, wherein the wire and the transmission arepositioned within the seat assembly.

In another possible embodiment, the activation mechanism is a lever andthe transmission includes a plurality of meshed gears for transmittingtorque created by movement of the lever from a gear of the plurality ofgears attached to the wire to a shaft associated with the seat back.

In yet another possible embodiment, the transmission includes a gearhaving first and second arms extending from a hub, the first armattached to and moved by the wire and the second arm forming an archaving a plurality of teeth on an inner side of the arc for meshing withthe plurality of meshed gears.

In still another possible embodiment, the transmission includes ahousing, supported by a seat base of the seat assembly, through whichthe seat back recliner shaft extends, and a plurality of gears.

In one additional embodiment, a reclining vehicle seat assembly includesa base supported by the vehicle, a seat back connected to the base forrotation about a shaft, a transmission including a plurality of gearsfor rotating the shaft and releasing the seat back, a side shieldattached to the base and covering at least a portion of a side of thebase and a side of the seat back, and a lever attached to thetransmission via a wire, wherein the transmission and the wire arecovered by the side shield.

In another possible embodiment, the plurality of gears are meshed fortransmitting torque created by movement of the lever from a gear of theplurality of gears attached to the wire to the shaft.

In yet another possible embodiment, least a portion of the shaftincludes a plurality of teeth, and the plurality of gears includes afirst gear having internal teeth for meshing with the plurality ofteeth, and a second gear attached to the wire such that movement of thelever moves the wire thereby rotating the second gear about a pinextending from a housing and supporting the second gear.

In still another, the second gear includes first and second armsextending from a hub, the first arm attached to the wire and the secondarm forming an arc having a plurality of teeth on an inner side of thearc.

In yet still another possible embodiment, the reclining vehicle seatassembly further includes third and fourth gears for transmitting torquecreated by movement of the lever from the second gear to the first gearand the shaft. In another, the third and fourth gears each have aplurality of teeth, and the plurality of teeth of the third gear meshwith the plurality of teeth of the second gear and the plurality ofteeth of the fourth gear, and the plurality of teeth of the fourth gearfurther mesh with the plurality of teeth of the first gear.

In the following description, there are shown and described severalembodiments of a release mechanism for a reclining seat assembly for avehicle and a vehicle incorporating same. As it should be realized, theinvention is capable of other, different embodiments and its severaldetails are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects allwithout departing from the assemblies as set forth and described in thefollowing claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should beregarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the releasemechanism for a reclining seat assembly for a vehicle and together withthe description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In thedrawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a partial top plan view of a typical vehicle having a frontrow of seats including two reclining seat assemblies;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a portion of a vehicle seat assemblyhaving a portion of a side shield cutaway revealing a transmission andwire connecting the transmission to an activation mechanism positionedoutside of the side shield; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the transmission and seat back reclinershaft; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the transmission and seat back reclinershaft.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the release mechanism for a reclining seat assembly for avehicle, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawingfigures, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a vehicle 10 having afront row of seats 12 within a passenger compartment 14. The front rowof seats 12 includes a driver seat 16 and a passenger seat 18. Thedriver seat 16 is positioned adjacent a side of the vehicle representedby a B pillar 17. Similarly, the passenger seat 18 is positionedadjacent a side of the vehicle represented by a B pillar 19. A centerconsole 20 is positioned between the driver seat 16 and the passengerseat 18. Both of the driver seat and the passenger seat are typicalreclining vehicle seat assemblies.

As shown in FIG. 2, the driver seat assembly 16 includes a seat base 22,a seat back 24, and a side shield 26. The seat back 24 rotates about aseat back recliner shaft 28 in response to an occupant's actions. Anactivation mechanism 30, shown as a lever or handle in the describedembodiment, is connected to a manual gear transmission 32 via a wire 34.The activation mechanism 30 can take any structural form sufficient tobe grasped by an occupant and moved such that a pulling force is createdon the wire 34. Movement of the activation mechanism 30 (shown by actionarrow A in FIG. 2) by the occupant pulls the wire 34 forward (shown byaction arrow E in FIG. 4) and consequently activates the manual geartransmission 32 (hereinafter “transmission 32”) and rotates the seatback recliner shaft 28.

Rotating the seat back recliner shaft 28 momentarily releases the seatback 24, which is biased for forward rotation in the describedembodiment, for rotation in either forward or rearward directions.Releasing the activation mechanism 30 returns the seat back reclinershaft 28 to its original or resting, i.e., locked, position therebylocking the seat back 24 in a desired position. In the describedembodiment, the activation mechanism 30 can accommodate a maximum loadapplied by an occupant of the seat assembly 16 of twenty-five newtons.Movement of the activation mechanism 30 creates a maximum torque ofeight newton-meters in the described embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the side shield 26 is shown having a portion thereof cutawayto reveal the transmission 32 and the wire 34 which are positionedbehind or beneath the side shield 26. In other words, the transmission32 and the wire 34 are out of sight. The activation mechanism 30(hereinafter “lever 30”) is positioned outside of the side shield 16 ina location that is readily accessible to the occupant of the seatassembly 16 and avoids interference with a seat belt or a side pillar(not shown) of the vehicle 10. More specifically, the location of thelever 30 is in a zone relative a passenger hip point or H-point 31. Inthe described embodiment, the lever 30 is located in a zone whichprovides an optimal position for the lever 30 such that it is easy tolocate and easy to utilize by the occupant. In alternate embodiments,the lever 30 may be located in any of several zones relative theH-point.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the transmission 32 is mounted in a housing 50.In the described embodiment, the housing 50 is supported by the seatbase 22 as best shown in FIG. 2. At least a portion 52 of the seat backrecliner shaft 28 includes a plurality of radially extending teeth 54.The portion 52 of the seat back recliner shaft 28, including theplurality of teeth 54, extends through a back side 56 of the housing 50and meshes with a plurality of gears, generally designed 58. Together,the plurality of gears 58 transmit torque created by movement of thelever 30 through the gears to the seat back recliner shaft 28. In thedescribed embodiment, each of the plurality of gears 58 is a spur gear.

More specifically, the plurality of gears 58 include four interworkinggears in the described embodiment. A first gear 60 is a sector gearhaving a central aperture 62 formed for receiving and meshing with theplurality of teeth 54 of the recliner shaft 28. Although shown along anend portion 52 of the recliner shaft 28 in the described embodiment, theplurality of teeth 54 may extend a full length of the seat back reclinershaft 18 or over only a portion or portions thereof. The first gear 60is generally oval in shape having straight sides 64 and curved ends. Aplurality of teeth 66 extend radially along one end 68 of the first gear60.

A second gear 70 of the plurality of gears 58 is supported for rotationabout a pin 72 extending from and supported by the housing 50. Thesecond gear 70 includes a first arm 74 and a second arm 76 extendingfrom a hub 78. The hub 78 includes an aperture 80 which receives atleast a portion of the pin 72 forming an axis of rotation for the secondgear 70. The first arm 74 is attached to the wire 34 adjacent a distalend 84 of the first arm. The second gear 70 is attached to the wire 34such that movement of lever 30 pulls the wire and, in turn, the firstarm 84 rotating the second gear in a clockwise direction about the pin72. A distal end 86 of the second arm 76 forms an arc 88 having aplurality of teeth 90 along an inner side 92 thereof.

A third gear 94 and a fourth gear 96 transmit the torque created bymovement of the lever 30 from the second gear 70 to the first gear 60and the seat back recliner shaft 28. In the described embodiment, thethird gear 94 is a pinion gear that is self-supported by the housing 50.A plurality of teeth 98 extend radially from the third gear 94 and meshwith the plurality of teeth 90 of the second arm 76 of the second gear70 and a first plurality of teeth 100 extending radially from the fourthgear 96. Rotation of the second gear 70 about pin 72 creates clockwiserotation of the third gear 94 which creates a counterclockwise rotationin the fourth gear 96.

More specifically, the first plurality of teeth 100 of the fourth gear96 are positioned along an extended sector or arc 102 formed generallyaround a portion, i.e., a forward portion as shown in FIG. 3, of thefourth gear 96. A central aperture of the fourth gear 96 receives atleast a portion of a pin 104 forming an axis of rotation for the fourthgear. A second plurality of teeth 106 extend radially from a rearwardsector or arc 108 of the fourth gear 96. The second plurality of teeth106 mesh with the plurality of teeth 66 of the first gear 60 creating aclockwise rotation of the first gear 60.

As shown in FIG. 4 and generally described above, activation of thelever 30 pulls the wire 34 away from the transmission 32, as shown byaction arrow E, and toward the lever. Even more, the first arm 74 of thesecond gear 70 is likewise pulled toward the lever 30 rotating thesecond gear clockwise about the pin 72 as shown by action arrow B.Rotation of the second gear 70 necessarily rotates the second arm 76 ina clockwise direction. The plurality of teeth 90 extending from theinner side of the second arm 76 likewise rotate in a clockwise directionand mesh with the plurality of teeth 98 of the third gear 94.

Movement of the second gear 70 causes the third gear 94 to also rotatein a clockwise direction. The teeth 94 of the third gear 94 mesh withthe first plurality of teeth 100 of the fourth gear 96 causing thefourth gear to rotate counter-clockwise as shown by action arrow C. Asthe fourth gear 96 rotates, a second plurality of teeth 106 of thefourth gear mesh with the plurality of teeth 66 of the first gear 60causing the first gear and the seat back recline shaft 28 to bothrotated clockwise. This rotation is represented by action arrow D inFIG. 3.

In summary, numerous benefits result from the utilization of the releasemechanism for a reclining seat assembly of a vehicle as illustrated inthis document. Utilizing the transmission 32 to transfer movement of thelever 30 via the wire 34 to the seat back recline shaft 28 in order torelease the seat back allows the lever 30 to be positioned inessentially any location along the side shield 26. Accordingly, thelever 30 can be positioned such that the lever is both easy to locateand easy to utilize.

In the described embodiment, the lever 30 is positioned in a zonerelative the H-point 31 wherein the lever is considered to be easy tolocate and utilize. In this position, the lever 30 avoids interferencewith the seat belt and the sides or B pillars 17, 19 of the vehicle 10.Even more, the wire 34 and transmission 32 are positioned behind theseat side shield 26 thereby minimizing an amount of space between theseat side shield 26 and the vehicle sides and B pillars 17, 19 requiredto package the parts utilized to recline the seat back 24.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example,the lever may be positioned in one of several acceptable zones relativethe H-point. All such modifications and variations are within the scopeof the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadthto which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

What is claimed:
 1. A reclining vehicle seat assembly, comprising: abase supported by the vehicle; a seat back connected to said base forrotation about a shaft; a transmission including a plurality of gearsfor rotating said shaft and releasing said seat back; a side shieldattached to said base and covering at least a portion of a side of saidbase and a side of said seat back; and a lever attached to saidtransmission via a wire, wherein said transmission and said wire arecovered by said side shield.
 2. A vehicle incorporating the recliningvehicle seat assembly of claim
 1. 3. The reclining vehicle seat assemblyof claim 1, wherein said plurality of gears are meshed for transmittingtorque created by movement of said lever from a gear of said pluralityof gears attached to said wire to said shaft.
 4. The reclining vehicleseat assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said shaftincludes a plurality of teeth, and said plurality of gears includes afirst gear having internal teeth for meshing with said plurality ofteeth, and a second gear attached to said wire such that movement ofsaid lever moves said wire thereby rotating said second gear about a pinextending from a housing and supporting said second gear.
 5. Thereclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, wherein said second gearincludes first and second arms extending from a hub, said first armattached to said wire and said second arm forming an arc having aplurality of teeth on an inner side of said arc.
 6. The recliningvehicle seat assembly of claim 5, further comprising third and fourthgears for transmitting torque created by movement of said lever fromsaid second gear to said first gear and said shaft.
 7. The recliningvehicle seat assembly of claim 6, wherein third and fourth gears eachhave a plurality of teeth, and said plurality of teeth of said thirdgear mesh with said plurality of teeth of said second gear and saidplurality of teeth of said fourth gear, and said plurality of teeth ofsaid fourth gear further mesh with said plurality of teeth of said firstgear.
 8. A reclining vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a base supportedby the vehicle; a seat back connected to said base for rotation about ashaft; a transmission coupled to an activation mechanism via a wire forrotating said shaft and releasing the seat back.
 9. The recliningvehicle seat assembly of claim 8, wherein said wire and saidtransmission are positioned within said seat assembly.
 10. The recliningvehicle seat assembly of claim 9, where said activation mechanism is alever mounted to said base.
 11. The reclining vehicle seat assembly ofclaim 9, wherein said transmission includes a plurality of gears. 12.The reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 11, wherein at least aportion of said shaft includes a plurality of teeth, and said pluralityof gears includes a first gear having a central aperture and internalteeth for receiving said seat back recliner shaft and meshing with saidplurality of teeth.
 13. The reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 12,wherein said plurality of gears includes a second gear attached to saidwire such that movement of said lever moves said wire and rotates saidsecond gear.
 14. The reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 13,wherein said second gear includes first and second arms extending from ahub, wherein said first arm is attached to said wire adjacent a distalend of said first arm, and said second arm includes a distal end formingan arc having a plurality of teeth on an inner side of said arc.
 15. Thereclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 13, further comprising thirdand fourth gears for transmitting torque created by movement of saidlever from said second gear to said first gear and said shaft.
 16. Avehicle incorporating the reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 8.17. The reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 8, further comprising ahousing, supported by said base, through which said shaft extends. 18.The reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 17, wherein said shaftincludes a plurality of teeth and extends into said housing and saidplurality of teeth mesh with a first gear of a plurality of gearssupported by said housing.
 19. The reclining vehicle seat assembly ofclaim 18, wherein said plurality of gears includes a second gearattached to said wire such that movement of said activation mechanismmoves said wire and rotates said first and second gears and said shaft.20. The reclining vehicle seat assembly of claim 19, wherein said firstgear is positioned within said housing and said second gear is partiallypositioned within said housing such that an arm of said second gear,attached to said wire, extends outside of said housing.